TAKING THE DRUG IS A SCHEDULED EVENT
The person spends a lot of time to acquire the drug, self-medicate, and recover
from the effects of the drug. This is evident with a patient who is addicted to
sedatives whose thoughts are focused on how to get the next dose. Time in the
day must then be set aside to administer the medication and to avoid contact with
other people until the visible effects of the drug have worn off.
PRIORITY OVER ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIFE
Daily activities are scheduled around times when the patient acquires, uses, and
recovers from the effects of the drug. Everything else, including family and work,
takes a backseat to the addiction.
ADDICTION CONTINUES DESPITE NEGATIVE
CONSEQUENCES
The person continues to self-medicate regardless of the repercussions. Individuals
who are addicted to drugs will begin to be late for work and gradually begin to miss
entire days until they lose the job. However, the self-medication will continue.
Behavioral Patterns of Addiction
Besides the clinical signs of addition mentioned in the previous section, there are
behavioral patterns that are common in a person who abuses medication. These
behavioral patterns deviate from what is considered normal behavior.
For example, a substance abuser fails to keep to a routine and will be late
to work or school or not go at all. The person may have poor hygiene and appear
disheveled—especially when compared with others. Family and social relation-
ships become strained as craving for the drug or being under the influence of the
medication makes it nearly impossible to interact normally. The person is also in
frequent need of medical attention as a result of self-medication. The medication
itself might disrupt normal bodily functions or place the person in a state that
exposes him or her to harm.
CHAPTER 4 Substance Abuse^63